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JACKSON, Miss. — The mayor of Jackson, Mississippi, currently facing serious legal challenges due to federal bribery and conspiracy charges, is actively working to retain his position.
In what has become a familiar electoral battle for Jackson residents, incumbent Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba is vying for a third term against state Sen. John Horhn in a Democratic primary runoff set for Tuesday.
“People are looking for a change,” stated Horhn. “There’s a strong desire for improved leadership, better infrastructure, reduced crime, and increased opportunities.”
In their previous encounter during the 2017 Democratic primary, Lumumba decisively defeated Horhn, garnering 55% of the vote. However, in the most recent April primary, Lumumba’s support significantly dwindled to only 17%, while Horhn achieved 48%, missing the majority needed to secure an outright victory.
Horhn has gained momentum through the endorsement of U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, a significant figure in the Democratic party and the top Democrat on the House Committee on Homeland Security. Eric R. Schmidt, a government and politics professor at Millsaps College, emphasized the importance of this endorsement in shaping the dynamics of the race.
“Horhn came very close to claiming the Democratic nomination outright, which is notable. Additionally, the shadow of the mayor’s indictment has greatly impacted the election climate,” Schmidt remarked.
In November, Lumumba, along with Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owns and city council member Aaron B. Banks, was indicted. The charges allege they accepted funds, including a $50,000 contribution for Lumumba’s reelection campaign, from two individuals posing as real estate developers. These individuals, it was later revealed, were working undercover for the FBI.
All three defendants have entered not guilty pleas.
“Our constituents have been influenced by narratives that could sway their perception of us. We want to clarify that this does not define who we are,” Lumumba commented.
According to Schmidt, the victor of this runoff is likely to become Jackson’s next mayor, given the city’s demographic trends. Notably, over 80% of Jackson’s population is Black, the highest representation among major U.S. cities, with approximately 25% of residents living in poverty.
The general election is scheduled to take place on June 3.
Source
abcnews.go.com